The Rob Salamida Company is continuing to work toward a settlement with a federal agency after a worker was seriously hurt at the Johnson City firm's production facility.

The company was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for a dozen safety and health violations in connection with the September 2015 incident.

A 33-year-old Norwich man was overcome by fumes as he tried to clean a 3,000-gallon vinegar tank at the Salamida factory on Diment Street.

According to OSHA, the worker was hospitalized for five days after he entered the confined space.

Last March, the agency announced Salamida faced fines of nearly $80,000 as a result of one willful violation and 11 serious violations of workplace safety standards.

OSHA Syracuse area director Christopher Adams said the incident "should never have happened."

The agency said its inspection found the spiedie sauce plant lacked numerous safeguards to protect employees.

OSHA assistant area director Jeff Prebish said settlement discussions were ongoing with Salamida representatives. He said if an agreement isn't reached after a reasonable amount of time, a mandatory settlement conference with a mediator may be scheduled.

Company owner Rob Salamida could not be reached Thursday to comment on the status of the negotiations with the agency.

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